Patarei Prison, Tallinn, Estonia

Patarei Prison is a building complex in Kalamaja district of Tallinn, Estonia. The premises cover approximately four hectares of a former sea fortress and prison, located on the shore of Tallinn Bay.

The fort was built from 1830–1837 as part of the fortifications for the tsarist Russian state. The building order was given by emperor Nicholas I. In 1864, Tallinn was removed from Russian Empire’s list of fortresses due to Russia’s defeat in the Crimean War, and the fort was converted into barracks.

The Republic of Estonia, which declared independence in 1918, reconstructed it as a prison after World War I. In 1919, the fort's main function became a prison, lasting until 2005.

For Estonians, Patarei is one of the most prominent symbols of Soviet and Nazi political terror.

In 2018, the Estonian Institute of Historical Memory launched preparations to establish a museum of crimes of communism and an accompanying international research centre in Tallinn. The museum is planned to an approximately 5,000 square meter area in the eastern part of the building and is scheduled to open in 2025.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Daniil Karpenko (13 months ago)
A deep dive into atmosphere of Gulag. If you want to get a feeling what it was like to be behind the bars in the Soviet prison, this the place.

Nikos Gkekas (2 years ago)
It is a "sad" place where lots of people suffered during the last century. It is one of the places where you have to visit in order not to forget the past and be careful not to make the same mistakes in the future.

Solid Solid (2 years ago)
Unique experience of visiting a prison used by the communist regime. Its not just a prison, but a museum detailing the horrors which happened behind closed doors. A lot of information about the prisoners which were housed here, but only those which were jailed for political reasons. The museum is quite short, so don’t rush through it expecting a full prison tour.

&Tilly [andtillycom] (2 years ago)
We loved the experience. Authentic, large enough to spend some time in, while not as large as to nit be able to enjoy. I took a few pics that are fantastic for wallpapers and left emotionally shaken and wanting to remember. Definitely a must see in Talinn.

JT (3 years ago)
Very good exhibition with text and pictures. Must see as part of history of Estonia and all baltic countries. Reachable by bus tours or walk

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.

Patarei Prison

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historical Gems of Costa Verde

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle